# Samy Merheg

Samy Habib Merheg (Arabic: سَامِي حَبِيب مُرْهِج; born 6 December 2006) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-forward for Colombian club Deportivo Pereira. Born in Colombia, he plays for the Lebanon national team.

## Early and personal life

Merheg was born in Pereira in the Risaralda Department of Colombia to businessman Habib Merheg [es] and Juliana Enciso, a politician who also played volleyball at a high level. His maternal uncle is former professional footballer Leonardo Enciso, while his paternal uncle is politician Juan Samy Merheg.

## Club career

As a child, Merheg played football in Lebanon and Spain, playing for Koura Football Academy and Tecnofútbol, respectively. Having represented the Risaralda Department in both 2019 and 2020, he scored six goals in ten games in the 2021 under-15 National Championship for Ibagué-based VyV (Vargas y Virviescas) Mi Nuevo Tolima.
Despite signing with Argentinian side Rosario Central in 2022, Merheg was unable to register with the club in AFA-affiliated competitions, and returned to Colombia the following year, joining Deportivo Pereira. On 17 February 2024, he made his professional debut, starting and playing 58 minutes in a 1–0 win against Santa Fe, before being replaced by Andrés Ibargüen.

## International career

Merheg is eligible to represent both Colombia and Lebanon at international level, due to his father having parents from the latter. He represented the Lebanese under-16 side in a friendly match against Malta in November 2022.
In July 2024, he was called up to the Colombia under-20 side for a micro-cycle. The following month he was called up to the Lebanon under-20 side for the first time. He made his debut in 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualification, playing 90 minutes in a 3–2 loss to the United Arab Emirates.
Merheg was first called up to the Lebanon senior side on 5 November 2024, for friendly games against Thailand and Myanmar. He made his debut on 14 November 2024, aged 17 years, 344 days, as an 82nd-minute substitute in a 0–0 friendly draw against Thailand. Against Myanmar on 19 November, Merheg scored his first international goals with a brace, securing a 3–2 win for Lebanon.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played 10 February 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Copa Colombia | Copa Colombia | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Deportivo Pereira | 2024 | Categoría Primera A | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Deportivo Pereira | 2025 | Categoría Primera A | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Deportivo Pereira | Total | Total | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 |

### International

    As of match played 15 December 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Lebanon | 2024 | 4 | 3 |
| Total | Total | 4 | 3 |
    Scores and results list Lebanon's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Merheg goal.
List of international goals scored by Samy Merheg :
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1 | 19 November 2024 | Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar | Myanmar | 2–2 | 3–2 | Friendly |
| 2 | 19 November 2024 | Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar | Myanmar | 3–2 | 3–2 | Friendly |
| 3 | 12 December 2024 | Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar | Kuwait | 2–1 | 2–1 | Friendly |